An Opposition Congress leader was assaulted on Wednesday in Maharashtra’s Shrirampur for allegedly using derogatory language against Maratha Empire founder Shivaji Maharaj.
Police said Sachin Gujar, Congress’s Ahilyanagar district chief, was out on a routine morning walk when a group of unidentified men intercepted him. Gujar was forced into a vehicle and assaulted before he was allowed to go. The assault sparked tensions ahead of the local body elections in Maharashtra.
One Chadu Age, claiming to be a Shivaji Maharaj follower, released a video on social media purportedly admitting to beating Gujar. He said he did so as Gujar allegedly used derogatory language while referring to Shivaji Maharaj.
Police superintendent Somnath Gharge said the process for registering a case is underway, and that they were looking for the accused. Investigators were analysing CCTV footage of the assault, which went viral, to identify all those involved.
State Congress chief Harshavardhan Sapkal condemned the attack and blamed the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He added that Congress will not tolerate a situation where the district president of a national party is kidnapped and assaulted during a peak election period.